A TEENAGER from Poulton near Cirencester could be one of the youngest people ever to summit Mt Kilamanjaro, all in memory of her little sister.

Olivia Maiden, 13, is to climb the highest free-standing mountain in the world to raise funds for the hospice that looked after her younger sister as she suffered from a rare genetic disease.

Olivia will make the trek from August 7 to August 12 with her father Dan in memory of Florence Maiden, who died in 2008.

Florence visited Helen & Douglas House, the children’s and young adults’ hospice based in Oxford, and her family is hoping to give something back in return.

With less than half the normal oxygen level at the top, climbing Kilimanjaro is a major undertaking for even the fittest athlete even with a support team, let alone the average British teenager.

Training has begun for Olivia and her Dad, and they are hoping to raise £5,895 for Helen & Douglas House, £1 for every metre of Mt Kiliminjaro they will climb.

Olivia said: "The day my younger sister, Florence Maiden, was born on August 21 2007, we were all delighted with our beautiful healthy baby, but then she started to get sick.

“The doctors originally thought it was nothing but later on they diagnosed her with Leigh’s Disease, a mitochondrial disorder.

“Helen & Douglas House gave her the best last moments of her life, in the spa room with the Jacuzzi, in the art room and many other brilliant places.

‘Sadly, on November 28 2008, after her first birthday party, she died.

“Helen & Douglas House supported us in many ways. They invited me and my brother George to join the Elephant club, a club in which you do fun trips with other children who have been through similar problems.

“I would really like to give back to Helen & Douglas House.”

In Tanzania, it is law that you must use a guide and support team on the climb, and because Olivia will be one of the youngest girls to ever attempt Kilimanjaro, they were recommended to organise a private expedition.

As a result Olivia and her dad will be climbing with a support team including two guides, a cook and up to 10 porters.

To sponsor Olivia, visit her Virgin Money Giving page: virginmoneygiving.com/oliviamaiden